The future of the assessment industry, and special rate exams, unveiled at Middle East’s largest ICT event

London, U.K., September 23, 2011 — Observational testing, a professional learning online marketplace and a new credential management system are just some of the ways Pearson VUE is revolutionising the testing industry — all offerings which it will showcase at this year’s GITEX Technology Week in Dubai.

Combining the efficiencies of its leading computer-based testing (CBT) platform on a remote tablet device, Pearson VUE’s observational testing solutions facilitate flexible and rigorous assessment. The company’s online marketplace (www.mindhub.co.uk) features a wide variety of its clients’ learning products designed to help individuals succeed in exams, while its new credential management system provides tools that ensure the integrity of both professionals and awarding bodies.

From 9 to 13 October 2011, Pearson VUE will be joined by fellow Pearson businesses at the biggest ICT event in the region, where more than 3,500 vendors will connect with over 136,000 professionals. Pearson Platforms is set to share its e-learning solutions, while Pearson in Practice will introduce its vocational IT training programme to the UAE market.

Recent years have seen the Middle East’s certification and awarding bodies embrace computer-based testing (CBT) as a more efficient and superior alternative to the traditional method of pencil and paper. Now those using CBT, as well as those considering its application, are set to discover how Pearson VUE’s bespoke solutions can improve the reach and prestige of their exams.

With the company’s assessment experts and clients, including Cisco, CompTIA and BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, on hand throughout event, Pearson VUE will enable attendees to establish beneficial and lasting business relationships. As part of Pearson VUE’s aim to ensure its greatest presence ever at the annual event, the company will also host a networking seminar. Attendees will learn how to grow their business and offer new training programmes, as well as discover the latest quality and security requirements. A series of discussions will also take place, informing of recent developments within the industry.

In collaboration with Society of Engineers —a Pearson VUE Test Centre Select — the company is offering candidates the opportunity to sit Cisco, CompTIA and BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT exams at discounted rates during the event. Visit www.pearsonvue.com/gitex to find out more.

Tim Cardinal, Group Product Manager, at BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, said:

“Our desire is to provide meaningful IT certification to candidates across the Middle East, in the same way we do in the UK and across the globe. We are delighted to be part of GITEX Technology Week and believe it’s an ideal environment for organisations such as ours to acquire valuable knowledge. This is the first time we have attended and we will be using the event to develop our presence across the region.”

Suzana Lopes, Managing Director of New Markets at Pearson VUE, added:

“The assessment industry is changing rapidly and IT sponsors in particular are adopting new technologies and solutions to deliver more comprehensive learning and testing methods. These innovations are helping them provide better lifetime testing experiences for candidates in their ongoing professional journeys. Our team of dedicated assessment experts, and colleagues from other parts of Pearson, will ensure our most significant presence at the event yet.”

To find out more, including how to meet, network and test with Pearson VUE during this year’s GITEX Technology Week in Dubai, visit www.pearsonvue.co.uk/gitex.

About Pearson VUE
Pearson VUE (www.pearsonvue.co.uk) is the global leader in computer-based testing for information technology, academic, government and professional testing programmes around the world. Pearson VUE provides a full suite of services from test development to data management, and delivers exams through the world’s most comprehensive and secure network of test centres in 165 countries. Pearson VUE is a business of Pearson (NYSE: PSO; LSE: PSON), the international education and information company, whose businesses include the Financial Times Group, Pearson Education and the Penguin Group.